Archive - Aug 19, 2009

Preparations for a “Progress into the Future” community gathering for the new athletic complex was discussed by (l-r) Tecumseh athletic director Griff Mills and First Federal Bank (main sponsor) employees Bill VanTuyle and Wendy Pizana on Tuesday. The community event, set for Saturday, Aug. 22, from 4-7 p.m., will feature free food, games and a close up look at the new field, stands and eight-lane track. Everyone in the community is invited to join in to help support the teams and watch the American Legion hoist the U.S. flag over the field for the first time. See Sports on today’s website.

By DEB WUETHRICH

Kerry Hamilton-Smith will serve as Interim Director of the Tecumseh Parks and Recreation Department, according to City Manager Kevin Welch’s report submitted to Tecumseh City Council on Monday night. Hamilton-Smith will step in to temporarily fill a spot being vacated by Pat Paul Sorise, who will be retiring Sept. 8 after 20 years of service to the city. Sara Distelrath, Recreation Supervisor, also is leaving.

Welch wrote in the report that Hamilton-Smith, who previously served as interim director for the Tecumseh Area Chamber of Commerce, has agreed to serve as interim manager until a new Director has been hired. Welch said, “She has a wealth of knowledge and a dependable, positive personality. I anticipate a smooth transition for the next Parks and Recreation Manager.”

Mayor Harvey Schmidt also read a proclamation at Monday night’s Tecumseh City Council meeting proclaiming Sunday, Aug. 23 as 10-11 Year-Old Girls’ Little League Champion Day in Tecumseh. The girls and their coaches, Dave Marko and Jim Hatfield, were on hand to receive recognition from the mayor and Tecumseh City Council members.

Marko said that the girls had worked hard and under pressure for around six weeks to face “the very tough Clinton team” and prevailed. “This is the highest we can go at this level,” he said.

“The girls really stepped it up, and it really paid off at the end,” said Hatfield.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Tecumseh resident Mary Winicker asked if the council had any thoughts on holding a referendum to ask city residents for approval or disapproval regarding water to potentially be used by CANAM, a water-bottling facility that has expressed interest in locating in the city.

Crime Stoppers of Lenawee is requesting the public help in regards to a hit and run motor vehicle vs. bicycle injury crash. The incident occurred on Sunday, Aug. 2, between the hours of 10-10:30 p.m. on Pequot Way near Westhaven Drive, located within the Westhaven subdivision in Tecumseh. The injured bicyclist was a 14-year-old who sustained a closed head injury as well as minor abrasions and bruising. At this time, police have no suspect(s) description or vehicle description of who hit the young boy. Anyone having information in regards to this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers of Lenawee. Those who have any information about this case may call 266-6161 or (877) 276-8477 or go online to Lenawee’s Most Wanted (www.lenawee.mi.us.com). Tips may be left anonymously. Crime Stoppers is an organization made up of police, media and community members.

Over the years, thousands of students in the Tecumseh Public Schools have benefited greatly from the mentoring and after-school programs supported by Communities In Schools of the Tecumseh Area (CISTA).

“Help Keep Kids in School and Prepare for Life” has been a motto of the national CIS program in which Tecumseh participates. In working toward that end has been hundreds of volunteers that have either served on the CISTA board or participated in its programs.
It’s important to know that CISTA is not governed, controlled or affiliated with the Tecumseh Public Schools. CISTA does not receive any tax dollars from the Tecumseh School District taxpayer.

As a non-profit organization, CISTA, and the students it serves, need community support more than ever. While participation and demand for CISTA programs are running at an all time high, funding has plummeted with a loss of grants and sponsorships.

Take a little time on Thursday, Aug. 27, to help support CISTA by attending The Art Affair at Tecumseh Country Club. It’s a benefit for CISTA and an opportunity for you to have fun and show your support. The event runs from 7-9 p.m.
For more information, call the CISTA office at 423-7574.

To the Editor,

I was a student at Tecumseh High School three years ago, and I have to say that I am absolutely outraged at the idea of cutting corners anywhere else to provide funding for something like a football stadium.

I think, however, that my opinion might be a little fresh, as I have a few extra things to add to my complaint. Not only is it a ludicrous idea to cut funding to teachers to build a stadium for a team that hasn’t done anything to deserve such an honor, but in addition, there are other great teams at Tecumseh who require only basic funding and receive none.
During my 11th grade year at Tecumseh I participated in Equations. I went on to finish with an astounding record of 42 and 0. In addition to that I worked to encourage and teach a number of other students who would go on to do just as well. The amusing part is, we didn’t even receive enough funding to get a bus to tournaments.

A team of five kids who dominated the equations league can’t even afford to get a sponsored teacher who knows something about the game, or a ride to tournaments, and we can’t afford to support our teachers, but our awful football team can get an unrealistically expensive stadium? Unbelievable.

Shaun Marx
Tecumseh

To the Editor,

I like it when someone from the Herald can come to the small town of Britton but when that someone only takes pictures of the SAME people OVER AND OVER, it goes pretty old.  

So, I’m asking that someone… how do you explain it to your eight year old when she asks why is it that the same kids get their pictures in the paper?  Why can’t the newspaper be fair?  

Here is my answer:  That someone only has her favorites in Britton.  Maybe someone should take a break from Britton and have a different person down there who doesn’t have favorites.

Cindy Roush
Britton